Author: Cameron DeFord

Use Up Your FSA or Insurance Benefits Before They Disappear!

Smiling Woman

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to remember that if you have unused funds remaining in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or vision insurance benefits, they could be expiring at the end of the year. One way many people choose to spend these dollars is on eyewear like eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or a yearly supply of contact lenses.

Maybe it’s been a year or two since you updated your prescription or had your eyes checked, in which case we recommend an annual eye exam and fresh pair of eyeglasses. If your current glasses suit you just fine, but you don’t own a backup pair, now could be a great time to gain the peace of mind of knowing that if you do break your favorite pair of specs, you’ll have a another waiting for you that you love just as much.

Daily glasses wearers are all too familiar with the frustration that comes with not owning a pair of prescription sunglasses, but what they may not know is Longe Optical can turn virtually any eyeglass frame into sunglasses. Our helpful opticians love styling our guests, and even if you can’t find a pair of traditional sunglasses to suit your style, your options at Longe are practically limitless. We use the highest quality polarized lenses to customize regular frames on a daily basis, and with our all-digital ClearVu Experience producing an ultra-accurate prescription, your vision will not be compromised in the least.

At Longe Optical we take contact lens care very seriously. Contacts are classified as a medical device, and a current contact lens exam with one of our independent optometrists is required to order a new supply. This is to help protect your eyes from problems caused by Contact Lens Overwear Syndrome or improperly sized contacts, which can cause long-term vision and health problems. Ordering contacts from Longe Optical is simple and convenient — we carry dozens of the most popular brands and styles, and are more than happy to provide guests with various trial lenses so they can find the contacts that suit them perfectly.

Even though insurance often eliminates or reduces your out-of-pocket expense, we offer some very budget-friendly promotions year-round — including 50% off a second pair of glasses and 50% off glasses when you purchase a year’s supply of contact lenses. We will do everything we can to help you maximize your insurance benefits and minimize the money you spend on eyewear.

For a list of our in-network insurers you can click here, or give us a call at (260) 469-3937. And if we’re out-of-network for you, we can often find special discounts or rebates to help you save as much or more than if you went somewhere in-network.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season, and if there’s anything we can do to help you see, look, and live your best, our friendly staff at all six of our Fort Wayne locations is ready to help!

 

Sun’s Out, Shades On – Take Care of Your Eyes This Summer

According to our independent optometrists, too much UV light can raise the risk of various eye diseases over time, so knowing how the sun can affect you and your children this summer is important! Proper eye protection during the summer is vitally important to maintaining overall eye health.

Proper exposure to the sun can also be great for your vision when you’re properly protected! According to a study done by the Ohio State University College of Optometry, children who are exposed to more sunlight throughout the day are less likely to develop nearsightedness over time.

Understanding Types of UV Radiation

The sun emits two major types of UV radiation that can cause damage to the eye: UV-A and UV-B.

Overexposure to UV-A radiation can damage the macula, hurting your central vision. Too much UV-B radiation exposure can lead to damage in the corona and the lens of your eye. Understanding what you are trying to avoid will help you take steps to prevent damage to your eyes.

Four Ways to Protect Your Eyesight

Although the sun can be harmful, it’s still important to make sure you and your family are able to get great exercise and spend time outside. Here are a few tips for maintaining good eye health without having to hide from the sun completely.

  1. Choose sunglasses carefully

Not all sunglasses function the same way! It’s important to consider more than just style when grabbing a new pair of sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that are labeled with “100 percent UV protection” or glasses with larger lenses that wrap around the sides of your eyes. Just because your pair of sunglasses says it offers “UV protection” doesn’t mean it is protecting against both kinds of UV! If you’re not sure how efficient your sunglasses are, ask your doctor.

  1. Wear a hat

A hat with a 2- to 3-inch brim is ideal because it specifically protects the eyes. A dark underside to the brim can lower the amount of damaging UV rays your eyes and skin are exposed to. Many bucket hats and floppy hats are available for even the youngest of children to wear.

  1. Wear proper eye protection even when it’s cloudy

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds. It’s important to make sure you still wear your sunglasses even if the sun isn’t visibly shining.

  1. Limit exposure to the sun during peak hours

The sun’s rays are most aggressive from 10AM to 4PM. It’s important to stay in the shade, apply sunscreen frequently, and wear other protective gear — especially during these hours.

At Longe Optical, we offer a wide variety of high quality, name brand sunglasses that can be purchased with non-prescription or prescription lenses. Let us help you have a safe and happy summer by scheduling your annual eye exam today. While you’re here, pick up a pair of stylish sunglasses that will keep you safe this summer!

 

 

 

New Year, New Styles

Woman in glasses

Here are three quick ways to make a noticeable change in how people see you — and how you see the new year!

Colors Pop of Color

Brighten up your ensemble with a pop of color — new releases by Dutz, Face à Face, and Scott Harris offer frames in colors subtle enough for everyday wear but that can be played up with matching clothing and accessories. Try a matte amber tortoise frame with a keyhole bridge for a modern take on classic colorways, keeping your outfit as versatile as you are. If you want to go a little bolder, add patterned socks to your outfit for an additional pop of color and touch of personality.

Vintage Vintage Revival

Keep it classic with vintage revival. New “old” looks from Penguin, Tom Ford, and Garrett Leight offer distinctive frame shapes and rich materials. These brands are reminiscent of old Hollywood and can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. Mix timeless feminine frame shapes with modern clothing details, such as a glamorous pantsuit, for an updated look.

Active Athleisure

Whether heading out for a long run or running errands around town, athleisure remains a go-to fashion trend for both men and women. Protect your eyes from the elements with all-new sunglasses styles from Oakley, Ray Ban, Nike, and Maui Jim, any of which we can provide with or without a prescription.

Something else to remember as we kick off the new year — your health insurance benefits have most likely renewed for your vision insurance, HSA, or FSA plans.

An eye exam can detect many vision and overall health problems early enough to better treat them or even stop them from worsening, and seeing less than your best could hurt your productivity, costing you precious time and keeping you from doing the things that you enjoy.

We encourage you to come in and experience why we are different — from our all-digital eye care process that generates an ultra-accurate prescription to our impeccable guest service. Everything we do is aimed at helping you to see better, look better, and ultimately live better!